Avon Park City Council At-Large Seat · Nov 3, 2026

Jim
Barnard

Jim Barnard, the incumbent, is running for Avon Park City Council At-Large Seat in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Louis Edward Bates Sr., Vern Bolton, Chris Downie, Gerald Snell and Maria T. Sutherland.

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Jim Barnard — Photo · midfloridanewspapers.com

Nov 3Election Day

The race · City Council At-Large Seat

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Background

About: Retired AT&T field engineer, Army veteran and Avon Park deputy mayor seeking a second term. He has served on the Planning and Zoning Board and as liaison to the Fire Department and Police Pension boards.

Two candidates are running for mayor (Garrett Anderson and Brenda Gray-Snell) and six for one council seat (Jim Barnard, Louis Edward Bates Sr., Vern Bolton, Chris Downie, Gerald Snell and Maria T. Sutherland). Highlands County Supervisor of Elections · Nov 3, 2026

On the record: Jim Barnard

3 sourced

01City manager1 sourced position

Voted yes on hiring Jason Atkinson as city manager (passed 3-2, January 2026).
Council voteAvon Park City Council minutes, January 12, 2026 · Jan 12, 2026 Link How the council voted

02Parks1 sourced position

Voted yes on the $145,000 interlocal agreement with Highlands County for pickleball courts at Donaldson Park (passed 5-0, March 2026).
Council voteAvon Park City Council minutes, March 23, 2026 · Mar 23, 2026 Link How the council voted

03Housing1 sourced position

Voted yes on applying for a CDBG grant to assist the Avon Park Housing Authority's Ridgedale Apartments (passed 5-0, March 2026).
Council voteAvon Park City Council minutes, March 23, 2026 · Mar 23, 2026 Link How the council voted

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